Systems in Israel’s F-15 Jets Upgraded for Long Distance Attacks

Arutz Sheva ^ | June 28, '09 | Gil Ronen

[MestaMachine]

The Israel Air Force’s F-15 fleet is undergoing an upgrade, with systems that make it better equipped for complex long distance attack scenarios. The systems are being installed in both the F-15 and the F-15I -- a model of the F-15 that was developed by its U.S. manufacturer specifically for the IAF.

According to IDF journal BaMachaneh, the F-15I model is currently being fitted with two new systems – one called “Barad Pelada” (“Steel Hail”), and another named Lightning.

The Barad Pelada advanced weapons system has been operational in the IAF’s F-16s for almost four years, but had to be modified in order to fit the F-15.

Barad Pelada is an advanced Israeli armament that operates like a smart bomb. “The system is unique in that it is able to plan the bombing in an accurate way by identifying the target from above,” a knowledgeable source in the IAF explained. “After the identification, the system carries out guidance to the target and only then is impact made.”

[MestaMachine]

Take THAT, Barack!!!
Homodinejad, YOU can worry now.

[Neidermeyer]

Now they need tankers or a friendly base close in..

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Won't happen despite a lot of wishful thinking on this board..

[MestaMachine]

Low-drag conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) were developed for the F-15C and D models. They can be attached to the sides of the engine air intake trunks under each wing and are designed to the same load factors and airspeed limits as the basic aircraft. However, they degrade performance by increasing drag and cannot be jettisoned in-flight (unlike conventional external tanks). Each conformal fuel tank can hold 750 U.S. gallons (2,840 L) of fuel.[23] These tanks increase range thus reducing the need for in-flight refueling.
The American CFTs were also provided to Israel and Saudi Arabia but only Israel uses them (as needed) on their entire fleet

[SECURE AMERICA]

Won’t happen despite a lot of wishful thinking on this board..

You will not be the first one to under estimate the Jews...

[MestaMachine]

Here is something weird for ya. All day yesterday, all night last night, and first thing this morning, the WORD isfahan kept jumping into my head. I wasn’t thinking about it, wasn’t even truly aware of it. Meant to do a search for it but got distracted.
Then perusing the world news this AM, I found this story in several places and decided to go ahead and post it.
NOW, on this map you put up, there is Isfahan bigger than sh!t and I am going WHOA!!!! Wassup wit dat???

[MestaMachine]

I figure if they say UPGRADED for LONG DISTANCE ATTACKS, that is what they mean. The article didn’t say anything about that part of it, only about the weapons systems being upgraded. ?
Long distance doesn’t have anything to do with the weapons being used. It has to do with how far the plane can travel and THEN use its weapons. Am I wrong?

[bert]

......Am I wrong?.....

It depends. If the upgrade is to fit the aircraft for taking cruise missiles airborne, then you might be.

[MestaMachine]

BTW. Besides the fact that F15s are hell in a dogfight if necessary, and are fully capable of knocking out air to ground defense systems, (which if Israel is serious, it would not hesitate to do,) I don’t think either Jordan, Saudi, OR Iraq wants to see Iran with a nuke.
At any rate, I don’t think they would risk trying to take out IAF planes, even if they wanted to.

[GonzoGOP]

The question is can they do enough damage in one strike to take Iran all the way down, or will they just make Iran angry. Iran learned from what they did to Iraq. Their nukes are spread out, they are also much farther along in the process than Iraq was. If Israel doesn't knock Iran out of the game in the first hours, the mullahs are going to hit back with a barrage of long range missiles on Israel. The Quality of the Iranian built weapons are debatable, but they probably can provide them in quantity if nothing else. Then there is the wave of rockets launched by Iran's surrogates in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria.

Most importantly if Israel fights, they will fight alone. In 1973 Israel only survived because the US staged the largest airlift since Berlin to fly in tanks, helicopters, but especially ammunition. At one point before the attack in the Golan was contained Israel's supply of 155 mm shells was literally being measured in hours. Such an airlift is not going to happen this time. Obama is firmly on the side of Imanutjob in Iran. The UN, always friendly to an Muslim dictator, will block sales of weapons, supplies and possibly oil to Israel.

In contrast Russia and China will sell the Iranians and Syrians all the weapons they need to make up for losses, but every bomb dropped or rocket fired by Israel is one less they have. Iran may simply use the bodies of their fanatic Palestinian allies to run the Israelite out of ammo.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see Iran get smacked down as much as anyone. But I just don't think seeing Israel overrun is a price worth paying to do it.

[Dr. Ursus]

Look on the bright side,if Israel is in danger of being overun.There will be alot of extra-crispy Muslim Arabs!

[SunkenCiv]

I'm sure the timing is just a weird coincidence.

The systems are being installed in both the F-15 and the F-15I -- a model of the F-15 that was developed by its U.S. manufacturer specifically for the IAF... The Barad Pelada advanced weapons system has been operational in the IAF's F-16s for almost four years, but had to be modified in order to fit the F-15. Barad Pelada is an advanced Israeli armament that operates like a smart bomb.

[MestaMachine]

Israel has one of the most advanced missile defense systems on the planet.

“The F-15 fighters used Barad Kaved (Heavy Hail) in attacks with zero malfunctions, and “we are very pleased with its performance in the operation,” the sources said.”

ZERO malfunctions, pretty large fleet, and smart bombs for deep penetration. Israel’s intel is topnotch in the world, and since this upheaval in Iran, the government might be preparing something spectacular to distract its population from its internal disputes. THAT means, usually, something crazy, like maybe a direct attack on Israel, Tel Aviv or Haifa, specifically.

It’s possible Israel believes it has reason to be very, very worried right now.

[romanesq]

Persians are not Arabs though. And the history is not a good one between the two.

[Dr. Ursus]

I knew that,thanks.Israel would have to be overrun by Iranian surrogates,which isn’t going to happen anyway.

[MestaMachine]

I am of the belief that Israel has fought for years with both its arms tied behind its back. NO ONE knows what Israel could, or WOULD, do if its very survival was at stake.
Syria, Lebanon, and whoever, could end up a cinder on the landscape of the ME if they start with the rocket attacks and try to overrun Israel that way.
Lebanon is already smacking Hizbollah on its streets and in its government.
Egypt is contending with the Muslim Brotherhood and not being polite about it.
The spectre of Shia Jihadist sleeper cells has been raised in Saudi Arabia. They are NOT thrilled with Iran even a little.
Then there is Mecca and Medina. Very vulnerable just sitting there.
Egypt has Aswan. Bye bye if they get too involved. Nothing the world needs or depends on comes from Egypt. Besides Egyptians are not technically Arabs either.
The Arabs will bark, but I don’t think they will bite if they think Israel has finally had it. Their history is of attacking those they perceive as weak. Israel is small, NOT weak.

[SunkenCiv]

whoops.

Israel upgrading F-15s for long-distance strikes
The Patriot Room | June 28, 2009 | Clyde Middleton
Posted on 06/28/2009 6:38:07 PM PDT by clyde_m
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2281424/posts

[romanesq]

Figured you did but posted it anyway. The threat to Israel is pretty grave however and it is no easy task to stare down your enemy when your “friend” has turned his back on you.

[Dr. Ursus]

The upheaval in Iran may show that many Iranians don’t
want a showdown with Israel.However,we can only hope!

[MestaMachine]

Did not know that had been posted. Jumped to it per your link, and see that it was posted from someone’s personal blog. Did not mean to detract from it, however, discussion on this thread is an entirely different POV, I think.
This article was from a news source. Is this against a rule? Seriously. I don’t know.
Be glad to have it moved if it is.